The National tribune., 1887-02-03
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOingS at the Ma
tiOnal Capital
A GAMIN's BLUSDER.

A city newsbOy is about as good judge of
men as can be found on Summers day, but
they will occasionally make blunders like the
rest of us. As Gen. Grosvenor was walking
down Pennsylvania avenue last week, news
boy dashed up to him:
All the NYawk papers, sir. Herald, TTiJ-
tne, Times, World and STAR Have the World
an Star, sir?"
"No, my boy, said the General, with his
usual affability.
Better take the World an the Star, sir"
persisted the little fellow, trotting along.
What makes you think ] want the star and
the World instead of the 7riJaaeg" asked the
General.
cause you're a Southern gentleman an a
Democrat kin tell your kind jest ez fur ez
i kin see EN-" responded the little fellow con-
fidently.
"What is there about me to-day, should
like TO know" asked the General OF The Ma
TIoSAL TRIBUNE, TO make a reasonably smart
newsboy mistake radical Republican and a
descendant Of Connecticut Yankee stock for a
Confederate Brigadier2"
IN AID OF THE NEEDY.
The ladies Of Potomac Relief Corps, No. 2,
organized short time ago, already give evil
dence of zeal and enterprise that give abundant
promise of success Last Friday night they
gave their first entertainment, at Grand Army
Hall, in aid of the relief fund. The large hall
was filled in every part, and the excellent pro-
gram of vocal and instrumental music, reci-
tations, ETC., was heartily enjoyed. The list
was as follows: Cornet solo, Master Elphonzo
Youngs, jr.; ballad, Miss Ada Ober; recitation,
Mrs Nina Greene; Cantata, THE Grasshop-
per-" Messrs. Abbot, buchanan, Barbarin, and
Bird; ballad, Mrs w. u. Moses; instrumental
solo, The Mill, Miss Nellie Moses recitation
Miss Critic Jochum; ballad, Mrs. L. " True !;
reading, DIR. Duncan basso solo, Grand Old
Ocean" Col. Q. c. Lefiler; character delnea-
tons Mr.. J. kearney.
A brief opening address by Col A. J. Whittier
explained 10 the audience the objects of the
organization and the purposes to which its
funds are applied. The ladies Of the Executive
! Committee having charge OF the entertainment
were: Mrs. c. V. Anderson, Chairman; Mrs.
NJ. A. Houghton, Mrs. NJ. J. Rush, Mrs A. s.
odcll, Mrs NJ. ID. Months, Mrs. S. Jochum. Mrs.
NJ. NJ. Paige, Mrs. c. ]. NJ. Crandall. Miss III.
Il. Mathews, Miss Cora c. Curry, Secretary. In
the absence of the President Mrs Anna Faunce,
il was presided over by Mrs. Gen. Mcmillan,
the Senior Vice-Presdent
MEXICAN WAR PENSIONERS.
The Pension Office has prepared a circular
showing who are entitled TO the benefits of the
| Mexican war pension act. The circular is
| being printed at the Government Printing
Office. A copy of the circular will be sent
TO any one upon application. The Com
missioner of Pensions has been receiving daily
bushels Of letters from those who consider
themselves entitled 10 pension under the
act In order 10 settle all doubt as 10 who are
so entitled, Gen. Black has embodied in the
4 circulars the portions OF the act which Indicate
who are 10 enjoy its benefits, with explanatory
remarks calculated TO make such sections clear.
He announces that only soldiers of the Mexican
war who served go days therein, and are now
/ 62 years Of age, can secure a pension, unless
- I..H.. a ".
widow OF such soldier is also barred from the
benefits OF the act unless she has reached 62
years or Is dependent upon others for her sun
| port The Commissioner also informs the sur
viving officers of the war that the act places
them on the same footing with the soldiers.
and they only receive pensions upon the same
conditions as they. The amount Of pension
can in no case be greater than that of the SOL
dier-that is. S. per month.
Estimates for the payment OF pensions under
1 the bill have been transmitted TO the House by
| the Secretary of the Treasury. In a letter
from TIE Commissioner Of Pensions, aceompa-
| nying the Secrctarys communication that oiIi-
Ger says that the probable number of surviving
enlisted men Of the classes described in the bill
is 3i,74S. aud the probable number of widows
1896 The amount which will be required for
making the FIRST annual payment is 81 $50, IOi,
which the Commissioners requests be made i'm
mediately available.
NOT PREPARED FOR WAR.
81 see that some Of the Senators are bold
enough 10 take the stand that this country
should protect itself in the matter Of the fish
cries troubles" said a naval officer the other
| day. That might mean war; be continued.
land don't believe that one of them realizes
| what would be the result of a war with Great
Britain in the present unprotected condition OF
the country. With no defenses, no navy, and
bat small army that would be utterly power
| less We would be at the mercy of an enemy not
half so powerful as England. Just imagine a
declaration of war. British squadron could
come up the Potomac as far as Alexandria and
blow everything in sight 10 perdition. The
| gentlemen at the Capitol would be among the
! first 30 make a move Westward. The big YES
sells couldn't get up higher than Alexandria on